NPS approves fee increases for several national parks for 2017

WASHINGTON – The National Park Service (NPS) approved increases to park fees for entrance, campgrounds, and picnic areas in several national parks in the greater DC area. All of these rate changes will become effective on January 1, 2017.

There continues to be a growing need for funds to improve visitor use facilities, infrastructure and visitor services in parks. The new revenue from the fee increases will be used to enhance visitor services including repairing and maintaining facilities, investing in capital improvements, improving amenities, protecting resources and adding visitor programs and services. The NPS will focus work on deferred maintenance projects.

Fort Dupont Park, DCGroup picnic area rates will increase from $45 per site per half day to $65 per site per half day.

Fort Washington Park, MDEntrance fees: The annual park pass will increase from $20 to $30; the vehicle rate from $5 to $10; and the motorcycle rate from $3 to $7. The per person rate remains at $3. Entrance fees are valid for 7 days (2016 rates were valid for only 3 days).

Group picnic area rates increase as follows:
Up to 50 people: from $25/site per day to $75/site per day
51 to 100 people: from $35/site per day to $100/site per day
101 to 150 people: from $50/site per day to $125/site per day (non-secluded area)
101 to 150 people: from $75/site per day to $150/site per day (secluded area)

Greenbelt Park, MDCampground rates increase from $16/site per night to $20/site per night.

Group picnic area rates increase as follows:
Up to 99 people: from $55/site per day to $100/site per day
100 to 149 people: from $105/site per day to $150/site per day
150 to 200 people: from $155/site per day to $225/site per day

Rock Creek Park, DCGroup picnic area rates will increase from $45/site per half day to $65/site per half day.

The NPS authorized parks to change recreation fee rates to align with a new national rate schedule, after they actively engaged the public and stakeholders about proposed changes and impacts. The decisions to adjust fees were made locally, with input from local communities, to ensure that the fee increases are implemented in a way that works best for parks and visitors.